Fodor's may use your e-mail address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full Privacy Policy.

Croatia Final Stop--Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik?

Four a "special" anniversary trip, we are looking at an adventure tour in September that starts in Zagreb and ends in Split. We would only be in both of these destinations for 1 night. However, in trying to route our flights and using frequent flier miles....we could possibly spend 2 nights in Dubrovnik but our only option on US airlines would be flying in/out of Zagreb. Not sure if the time to get to Dubrovnik makes sense either by bus, plane, or ferry since we will need to fly out of Zagreb by shortly after noon to return home. Any thoughts on whether we should pass on Dubrovnik and spend our remaining time in either Split, Zagreb, or other nearby destination for a short 2 night stay? My husband has no problem driving in other countries so that would also be an alternative. Would love to hear your input and ideas on what to see, where to stay, and where to dine.

What are your interests? These 3 cities are so different that I think it would be very hard to make a recommendation (about them, or about any other alternative) without knowing more about what you want to see and experience.

You cannot fly non stop to Croatia from the US, so you will have to change planes in Europe. Can you use your FF miles, on a partner European airline? Check the partner flights.

its about a 3 hour drive to Dubrovnik from Split. it is more than 6 and a half hours drive from Dubrovnik to Zagreb. you could take a train from Split to Dubrovnik and fly from Dubrovnik to Zagreb,,however you will spend as lot of time traveling and wont get to see and do much in Dubrovnik.

What do you want to see that is not included in your time in either Split or Zagreb? or any place between the two? Are you going to the National Park in Plitvice? If not it is certainly worthwhile and its between Split and Zagreb. You can stay over in or near the park.

I question this. You can certainly take a bus and probably should so you can look out the window rather than worrying about driving off the cliff

You should not go to Croatia without spending time in Dubrovnik, and the road there is spectacular, sort of like the Pacific Coast Highway near Big Sur.

I would try very hard to do what maxima suggests and fly from DBV to somewhere else in Europe where you can get a direct flight home. Munich is a great place to change planes if it suits your miles program.

With so little time, you should stick with Rovinj, Pula and hilltop towns in Istria. There is tons of history and real beauty in this region and you can enjoy quality time instead of trying to cover too much ground. If you really want to squeeze in more, look at visiting Plitvice on your way to Istria.

Since this will be the last leg of an active trip, I think we hope to sightsee, relax, hike or bike a little, etc. Nothing really strenuous and we do like culture and art as well. It looks like our flight options are limited for the trip--but they are free. As mentioned, start in Zagreb (might already have 1 full day and night before to tour), head to Plitvice area, stay in Korana, visit Paklenico National Park, Novignore, Trogir and end in Split. I don't think we will have much more than an evening in Split, but wondered if we should head more towards Zagreb by going to one of the islands (Brac, Hvar, Krk). Any suggestions on adding 2 nights for an island stop?

If I understand it correctly, you intend to fly round trip to Zagreb. After one night in Zagreb, you do the active nature tour and end with one night in Split. Then you have up to two nights to spend anywhere before you must get back to Zagreb to fly home--correct? If so, I suggest booking a Croatia Airlines flight back to Zagreb for your return, and spending two nights on Hvar. Alternatively, you could rent a car or take a bus to Dubrovnik and spend the two nights there before flying back to Zagreb. I think driving north toward Zagreb would be too time consuming for a two night stay, but you could conceivably do that and stop in Zadar.
Tell us about Nivognore (never heard of it).

Oops...in my haste to post it was mispelled -- it is Novigrad. In Zagreb, we actually have 2 nights and one full day to tour on our own before meeting REI group. We've been looking at flights to Dubrovnik and with our early return out of Zagreb (about noon) there are limited options. Our first thought was the bus ride from Split to Dubrovnik and return by air but that will give us maybe 1.5 days to enjoy. Part of our problem is business schedules--my husband is a small business owner so limitations. Hvar would be a good option or should we try for Istria -- Rovinj?

1.5 days is plenty for Dubrovnik is plenty imo--it is a place to see for its gorgeousness, but not necessarily a place you need days to soak up, if that makes sense. However, you will be an hour or so from Hvar while in Split, so that seems perfect to me. Rovinj is clear at the other end of the country, so not sure how that would work.

Split and Zagreb both have some wonderful museums, not to mention interesting neighborhoods, and each has a vibrant market if you are there when it is open.

I must admit that I prefer to be in the city from which I will be flying the night before a flight.

With your time frames, I wouldn't try to push on to Dubrovnik (even though it is stunningly beautiful), nor would I try to reach Istria. IMHO, there's a lot worth seeing that's nearer to places you'll already be, and no need to lose time to transportation unnecessarily. Just my perspective!

Although I love Dubrovnik, it just sounds too difficult for your trip. We found Hvar terrific and I would highly recommend it as an alternative. Look to stay right near the port (though that has gotten quite expensive) rather than at any of the holiday spots "around the corner" from the port.